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If you have an astringent variety of persimmons, such as hachiya or early golden, gently squeeze the fruit to determine if it is ripe. Astringent varieties are soft when ripe. Non-astringent varieties, such as fuyu and jiro, can be soft or hard when ripe. Check the size and color of the persimmon. The fruit is typically between 1 and 3 inches in diameter and yellow-orange in color with a red undertone. If you still aren't sure if the fruit is ripe, taste one.

Place in a paper bag

Place the persimmons in a brown paper bag with an apple or a banana. These fruits produce ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process. Loosely fold the bag closed.

Eat when ripe

In a paper bag with an apple or a banana, persimmons will ripen in one to two days. Persimmons left out at room temperature ripen in three to four days. Store the persimmons in the refrigerator after ripening. Persimmons should be eaten within three days of becoming ripe.